Unfortunately I wasn't at Spa this year
was there last year
I think you're referring to the G27R, which has the same chassis, but slightly different body, extra strengthening - as it competed in the Europa Series, slicks and an aero package. Plus the engine is a 2 litre zetec (Hill House Hammond G20s only have a 1.8, with Pectel ECU), but has twin carbs and develops about 100 more brake than ours (which have about 143 I think).
Cost, I assume you know the car cost which I think is/was 10500. I would suggest that you'd then need to spend about 750-1000 on checking that everything has been done properly and also altering a few things.. Ultimately the costs are kept fairly low because of the regulations controlling engine, diff, gearbox and tyres. Ultimately it depends on who is doing the spanner and setup work, although this can also be varied, depending on what you get done, for instance only working on the car yourself, getting a known team to give you a base setup, or getting a team to run you. I chose the latter as I am working outside of the country at the moment and my expertise is with computers, definitely not car setup and fixing them! I would say that we've had very few problems if any, with our engines, modifications have been allowed which have made them more resilient, such as Raceline sumps and enlarged radiators. Raceline sumps aren't cheap, but they cost a bit less than a new engine! You will need to fabricate or fit a seat. We fitted Astralap timing systems to the cars. Gearboxes would seem to be the real weakness, as they're standard T5 ones, but once you've got one that works don't change it!! (if it ain't broke.. ) If you're tall you may well need to add to the roll cage to heighten it (provided from Ginetta). Tyre costs.. Seem to have only used about 2-3 sets over the whole season, with quite a lot of Testing. I have spent relatively little this season on repairs, so not a good person to ask, but some have bought quite a few bonnets... I'm on my second one (having had the car for two seasons)
A full price list of parts is available from
www.ginettacars.com and their Motorsport menu (I think, or available on request).
Having owned the car from new, it had an upgrade (as did they all), mainly in the form of an updated ECU (about the 100 pound mark I think), although this is now included in the price of cars bought from Ginetta and all the race cars have it, with the possible exception of one which I don't think has raced at all..
I can put you in touch with the guy who has been running our team for the past two seasons, has raced in Ginetta's for about 6-7 years and other forms of motorsport before that (he's also the owner of the lime green car that was at Spa and came fourth), he's also the London Ginetta Dealer. He might also be able to give a better idea of budget and costs involved.
We'll also be at the Donington Double Header, feel free to come along and ask questions.
EPS